On Wednesday, June 21st, in observance of Gun Violence Awareness Month, the Council of the City of New York presented S.O.S. Crown Heights and S.O.S. Bed-Stuy with proclamations to honor the Cure Violence providers across the five boroughs for “the excellent work saving lives and their great progress in reducing gun violence in our community.”

We are proud to share excerpts of the proclamation, signed by Melissa Mark-Viverito, Speaker For the Entire Council, Laurie Cumbo, Council Member, 35th District, Jumaane Williams, Council Member of the 45th District and Co-Chair of the Gun Violence Task Force and Fernando Cabrera, Council Member of the 14th District and Co-Chair of the Gun Violence;

“WHEREAS: The 17 Cure Violence providers in New York City have proven their effectiveness. Overall, our city continues to experience a historically low crime rate with less than 1,000 shootings incidents in 2016. Between 2010 and 2013, homicide rates were up 69 percent yet down 18 percent in Cure Violence areas. When comparing 2015 to 2014, shootings decreased 2 perfect overall, yet 9 percent in the areas with Cure Violence programs. Last year, shootings were down 10 percent and murders were down 6 percent in the areas with cure Violence programs. As of March 2017, murders are down by 36 perfect, shootings victims are down by 40 percent, and shooting incidents are down by 30 percent compared to the same period the year before; and

WHEREAS: The New York City Council is proud to support these Cure Violence programs for each has proven itself as a powerful catalyst for positive changes in our communities. They continue to make great strides in changing the focus from prosecution to the prevention of violence. As we reaffirm our commitment to increasing awareness of gun violence, let us also educate others about the public health problem it is, so that we can reverse the epidemic nationwide and, one day, also cure it…”

We are proud to accept these proclamations and would like to extend a warm thank you to our New York City leadership for continuing to support ending gun violence in our communities.

From left to right: S.O.S. Bed-Stuy Program Manager Tiffany Murray, S.O.S. Crown Heights Program Manager David Gaskin, City Council Member Laurie Cumbo,Project Director Amy Ellenbogen

From left to right: S.O.S. Bed-Stuy Program Manager Tiffany Murray, Project Director Amy Ellenbogen, City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, City Council Member Jumaane Williams, Deputy Director Juan Ramos and S.O.S. Crown Heights Program Manager David Gaskin